The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-11-19
A FALSE ALARM.
BY CLYDE RAYMOND.

Hugh Merrington leaned out OF the viii
dow with an distracted, almost gloomy lool
upon his handsome face.
Within the room Miss Adeliue Rivers
a fair, stylish belle and his futaro bride
was at the piano singing some old lovc-song
with thrill of pathos in her clear soprano
voice hardly in keeping with the statucsquC
coldness of her beauty.
Several admirers were grouped about hel
listening appreciatyely; but Hugh Mer.
rington did not seem to even hear ths bell.
like tones.
"lf she is singing to him all that tender
sentiment is thrown away" thought the
gentleman, who was turning her music, halt
indignantly, wondering at the same time
how Merrington could appear so indiffer
ent to the fair society queen whom lie had
won from score of RIVALS
But he and others remembered that Hugh
had never been demonstratiye as loYer.
He had always, apparently, been calmly
proud of his fiancec; but there had been a
striking absence of that headlong, impetu.
Gus abandonment to the grdnde passion
which had been predicted of him if ever he
should really fall in loye.
'It's quite time | should think of mary.
rying," he replied in answer to numerous
congratulations. "And haven't | chosen
well? All, yes, my boy, you are quite right
pve won the loyllest bride of the season.
Proud of it?'' - laushingly "Hhy, OF
course l amn'
But he did not wear his heart upon his
sleeve.
And those who had fancicd that Hugh
Merrington-that captivating mixture OF
careless good-fellowship and pride, who
made light of Cupid's power would make
a fool of himself yet for some woman's sake
were rather disappointed.
He went through his engagement ike the
most rational of mortals, and now he seemed
even less ardent in his wooing.
"He puts me in mind of man who has
come into possession of some rare jewell u
went en the gentleman who stood beside
Miss Rivers, pursuing his critical reflections
''He knows it is securely his, and he does
not deign to make a fuss about 1t, Still,
expected Hugh would be very different as
loyer."
But Miss Rivers sang on, with her heart
in her voice; and, though she looked lovely
enough to turn the coolest head, lfer afii-
anced husband seemed unconscious OF ii all.
His restless glance was following light,
graceful form whose plain, dark-colored
gown went futtering further and further
away down the long avenue of budding
silyer-maples.
"Pll 60" he said presently, below his
breath, sudden gleam coming into hi.
restless blue eyes. "Of course it will be
useless, for if she sees me near, she viii
vanish again. How hard it is to get WORD
with her; but must try! Adelne will
never miss me with all these fellows sur
rounding her"
And, with some slight apology, he passed
outside, across the yelyety lawn, and down
the long, mpale avenue, until he came il
sight of the dark robcd little figure which
had lured him out.
She had not noticed his approach, and hi
had time to observe the listless droop Of th,
slender figure leaning against one of tn
silver naples, and to mark the sadness
hopelessness, rather, in the beautiful darl
little face turned almost wholly from him.
His heart gave a strange throb-half pity
half exultation-for something whispered
to him why those proud, dark eyes wer'
filed with such passionate bitterness as sh'
stood there all alone.
Yet the next instant he knew he must b,
mistaken; for at the sound of his low, eager
yet tremulous "Miss Orra' she wheele,
about, and faced him with all the cold, un
yielding hduteu he had learned 10 know
and dread.
II had thought TO have half hour Of un
interrupted solitude she replied, with freez
| ing GOODNESS. ''ls there no other portion
of these extensive grounds in which Mr.
Merrington might enjoy a morning walk?'
81 suppose there is, he retorted, flush
ing half angrily. But / will not prelen'
that came out simply for walk-or tha
this meeting was an accident. saw tn
nutter of your dress as you turned down tn
avenue, and-forgive me when tell yol
the plain truth, Miss Orra"-with beseech
ing earnsstness-'T followed you,n
"A manly act, indeedr' sneered the girl
contemptuousy. "And you are no
ashamed to stand there and confess it?''
Again he flushed up to the roots of hi
wayy, light-brown hair.
81 couldn't help itV' he burst out pa.
sionately. 81 have not exchanged wor
with you for nearly week. Oh, Ora
why do you shrink from me so persistent
ly? DO you really hate me?"
"Not at all, f" she answered, in smootl
cutting tones; 81 fancy l shall like you we
enough when you haYe become my steI
brother. And that will not be long, 70
know"-proYokingly. Until that i'm,
however, doubt not Adeline will apprec
ate your interesting society far better tha
l possibly can"
''Adeline?" he echoed half sReeringl,